Making an escape in Shannon

ESCAPISM is the title of this year’s annual art exhibition featuring the work of fourth and transition-year pupils of St Patrick’s Comprehensive School in Shannon.
The exhibition consists of a selection of lino prints and photo etchings all based on the theme of escapism.
“Whilst choosing the brief, we wanted to go with a theme that the students could get lost in, a personal interpretation of what it means to detach yourself from reality and get absorbed in something that you really enjoy doing,” said the school’s art teacher, Grace O’Hara.
Each student has their own take on the theme. Some have based their work on music or family, some on nature and landscape, while there is a selection of abstract images, which are personal to the students themselves.
“Escapism to me means all those little things you do to take yourself away from everything that’s happening around you. Where you can just lose yourself in something that makes you feel like you are in your own little world,” said Lezanne Synam, one of the students taking part in the exhibition.
“Escapism does not mean that you are running away from the drama of your life, instead you are just doing something other than the normal. My piece, The Monk, is just flying a kite for a change. He is not necessarily unhappy with his daily life and routine, he just wants a different source of happiness and tranquillity,” said Colm Connaughton, who is also taking part in the exhibition.
The exhibition is on display at the Sean Lemass library in Shannon and it will conclude this Friday.